Shanahan told USA Today he searched for nearly 30 minutes before San Francisco Examiner columnist Art Spander, who is covering his 40th Super Bowl, was contacted by a fellow writer and returned the bag.

"I've screwed up before, but I've never picked up the wrong bag," Spander told USA Today. "And there's no way I'd have a game plan."

It was a stressful moment for Shanahan, who is under enough pressure as it is this week.